The search was called off as darkness fell, but it is expected Flint search teams will be back out at around 10am to search at low water.

Onlookers lined the banks and bridges along the River Dee as the Sea King continued its search for a man believed to have entered the water. Residents in Shotton said an area had been cordoned off close to Hawarden Bridge and Flint RNLI confirmed that a suicide note and pair of men’s shoes were found on the riverbank between Queensferry and Hawarden Rail Bridge.

The helicopter and volunteers from Flint RNLI searched extensively up and down the river, making their way up towards the Flintshire Bridge before heading back towards Shotton and Garden City. Dozens of members of Coastguard teams from Flint, Hoylake and New Brighton could be seen on many of the Dee’s bridges, and foot patrols continued their search along the river bank armed with torches.